Nettle Stracciatella
This soup just might be my new favorite way to have Nettles! It’s so nourishing and soothing and incredibly easy to make! Stracciatella is a soup traditional to the Lazio region of central Italy and is essentially a version of egg drop soup, making it a perfect recipe for the spring when my chickens start laying again in earnest and the Nettles come back. I also love using my own homemade chicken broth or bone broth for this recipe whenever possible, which makes it even more medicinal.
Interestingly, most traditional stracciatella recipes from Italy don’t include greens, however many Italian-American versions include spinach, which is what prompted me to try Nettles instead, and I’m so glad I did! They have a mild flavor similar to spinach and are a delicious and medicinal swap. Nettles are a classic spring tonic that help wake our bodies up after a long winters rest. They gently stimulate the eliminatory pathways of the body and help clear-up our skin, flush our kidneys, strengthen the liver, and increase over-all vitality. And on top of that they are perhaps the most nutritious plant on earth! Rich in minerals, vitamins, and even protein. I’ve written a bunch about Nettles here on this blog so please search the Nettles tag on here for more on Nettles and more recipes!
Nettles Stracciatella
Ingredients:
6 cups chicken broth or chicken bone broth
3 eggs
2 cups fresh Nettles tops (young leaves and flexible stems), chopped
2 tbsp fresh Parsley + 2 tbsp fresh Basil, chopped (if you have it)
2 tbsp grated Parmesan (or similar cheese)
1 tsp salt (can also add a little extra if the broth is unsalted)
Red pepper flakes to taste
Directions:
Bring your broth to a boil. While it’s heating blend the eggs, cheese, Basil, Parsley and mix well. Once the broth comes to a boil slowly drizzle the egg mix in, whisking with a fork so the egg becomes stringy as it cooks. This works best if you add the egg mixture while the broth is at a rolling boil. Then add the Nettles and let it all cook for an addition 3-5 minutes and that’s it, you’re done! Happy spring all!
